There are at least four Christian colleges and universities that offer a physical therapy assistant (PTA) degree program. Offered as an associate's degree, this program typically involves hands-on learning. Compare and contrast the Christian schools that offer this program.
School Comparison
The private, Christian schools that offer PTA programs below vary in size, location, denomination and other characteristics. In the table, examine the different schools and their undergraduate tuition rates.
| School Name | Institution Type | Denomination | Location | Tuition (2019-2020)* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loma Linda University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Seventh Day Adventist | Loma Linda, CA | $33,180 |
| University of Evansville | 4-year, private not-for-profit | United Methodist | Evansville, IN | $37,466 |
| Louisiana College | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Southern Baptist | Pineville, LA | $17,500 |
| California Baptist University | 4-year, private not-for-profit | Southern Baptist | Riverside, CA | $34,882 |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Description of Some Christian Colleges with Physical Therapy Assistant Programs
The four Christian schools with PTA programs discussed below offer unique spiritual growth opportunities for students looking to deepen their faith. Students may also wish to consider the size of the school, the location and/or other characteristics of the degree program. Learn more about each school and its program here.
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda University in California had 1,192 undergraduate students in 2018, according to the NCES. The university offers a PTA program that results in an Associate of Science degree and includes three 6-week-long clinical experiences. Students must provide their own transportation to clinicals and be certified in CPR to participate in clinical experiences. Students in the program are eligible to become members of the American Physical Therapy Association and will qualify to take the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for PTAs after successfully completing the program. Students looking to grow in their faith can join a Discipleship Group for Bible study and/or attend weekly prayer (REFRESH) and worship (SOMA and University Worship) services.
University of Evansville
Indiana's University of Evansville offers a PTA program that includes laboratory and clinical experiences and is available on a part-time basis. Completion of the program results in an associate's degree, but students are encouraged to pair the program with a bachelor's degree program. Admission to the program may be competitive, since admission is limited to 16 students. As of 2018, the university had 2,243 undergraduates, per the NCES. For students' spiritual lives, the school has a variety of worship services, small groups, outreach opportunities, theology lecture series and a range of spiritual organizations, like Young Life, Student Christian Fellowship, Hillel and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Louisiana College
Students at Louisiana College can pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Physical Therapist Assistant. The program includes clinics with an emphasis on current technology and communication in the field. The program only admits a maximum of 20 students each year and requires applicants to have a minimum of 60 observational hours with two different licensed physical therapists in separate settings. In order to support spiritual growth and development, the college has the Spiritual Enrichment Program, as well as several spiritual student organizations, including FCA, Catholic Student Organization, Baptist Collegiate Ministries and Church Vocation Fellowship. According to the NCES, the college had 1,004 undergraduate students in 2018.
California Baptist University
California Baptist University had 7,855 undergraduate students in 2018, per the NCES. Beginning in the Fall of 2018, the school is offering an AS in PTA with clinical experiences in settings like outpatient orthopedic and skilled nursing facilities. The program contains multiple clinical experience and coursework with lab components in areas such as neurology and orthopedics. Students on campus can develop their faith through chapel services and the three ministries: Discipleship Ministries, Compassion Ministries and Mobilization. Compassion Ministries focuses on local service projects, while Mobilization focuses on global service. The unique Discipleship Ministries consists of missional communities, called Tribes, of 20 to 60 students who can be involved in smaller Discipleship Groups of 3 to 6 people.
